Wetland Planting Zone |
Shallow Marsh |
Approved Format |
600cc |
Family |
Juncaginaceae |
Form |
Triglochin procerum is an emergent, perennial aquatic herb |
Foliage |
Thick, glossy, deep green, strap-like, floating or erect, to 4 x 350cm |
Flowers |
Flowers have six petal-like parts and held above the water on an erect stem to 145cm tall. Triglochin flowers from September-March |
Fruit |
Fruit is globular to 1.4cm wide, twisted and splitting in 3 to 6 parts |
Habitat |
Water ribbons are common in slow moving fresh water streams and permanent wetlands, and can tolerate extended dry periods |
Distinctive Features |
Strap like foliage emerging or floating in water, upright fruiting stems |
Similar Species |
Eel grass (Vallisneria americana) has long strap-like foliage that is almost always submerged, and spring-like submerged flower stalks |
Comments |
This is an excellent plant for frog and bird habitats. The tubers (roots) were an important source of carbohydrates for Aboriginal people. Young plantings of this species are palatable to grazing by waterfowl and definitely need to be guarded for the first 12 months after planting, until large enough to withstand grazing pressures. |